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Riders coach learning playoff protocols

Saskatchewan Roughriders' head coach Corey Chamblin watches his team play the B.C. Lions during the second half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, B.C., on Sunday August 19, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

The schedule indicated that all of the team’s three practices would be closed to the media and fans. The Riders were then reminded by the CFL that closing practices contravened a league policy that states: “All team practices must be open for their entire duration to accredited media.”

The Riders and CFL are in talks about the league’s policy. An update on the media’s access is expected today before the Riders begin practice at Mosaic Stadium.

“I thought (banning the media in playoffs) was league policy,” Chamblin said Tuesday. “I’ve been on several teams and it has been (policy) on those teams, so I was shocked to hear that it wasn’t league policy. Being a rookie head coach, I go off what others do.”

There may be some precedence regarding limiting access this year. The West Division-leading B.C. Lions closed a portion of Thursday’s practice to the media with an intention of continuing that through the playoffs.

The Lions media balked at that, leading to a meeting with general manager Wally Buono on Monday. The Lions were fined an undisclosed amount by the CFL for closing practice. Practices will be open, but reporters will be limited from where they can watch it.

The Riders also believed the Stampeders were limiting access based on the team’s media policy posted on its website.

A reporter covering the Stampeders said their practices have been open all season.

The CFL does allow one closed team practice leading up to the Grey Cup game.

Still, it sounded like some of the Riders’ practices will be open to the media.

“Practice isn’t closed; a portion of it is being closed when you look at team things,” Chamblin said. “It’s one of those things where you want to make sure that you have a competitive advantage at certain times. That’s all it really is. It’s not like you do not trust the media or anything like that. At the same time, we have a job to do and you want to make sure that you don’t read what you’re doing before you actually see it.”

Chamblin dealt with a similar challenge during training camp, when detailed practice information was posted on message boards.

On June 26, Chamblin closed two of the team’s three weekly practices to fans. CFL practices are numbered one through three during a normal week of preparations. The Riders’ practices were closed on Days 2 and 3. Fans were allowed to attend Day 1 and any walk-throughs.

Chamblin doesn’t regret making that decision.

“It helped us get into the playoffs,” Chamblin said. “We’re in the first round playing Calgary.”

When that happens, there is a possibility the Riders may have some injured players back on the active roster. Chamblin said that punter Chris Milo was looking good after punting into and with the wind. Milo has been sidelined by a sprained left ankle that he suffered in a 36-10 win over Toronto on Sept. 8.

Sandro DeAngelis has handled all of the kicking duties in Milo’s absence. There’s a chance he could be joined by Milo on Sunday. Chamblin said that Ricky Schmitt, an import punter signed Thursday, could also be added to the roster.

Chamblin added that running back Jock Sanders is running and may take another step toward returning to the active roster.

Sanders hyperextended his left knee in a 27-21 victory over the visiting Lions on Sept. 29.

“Jock has made some tremendous strides,” Chamblin said. “I’m very surprised because he has worked tirelessly to get to the point where he is. If he gets there and is healthy enough, that’s something that we may do.”